In case you didn’t know, Russian president Vladimir Putin is a big time hockey fan. He’s also all-in on seeing his country come away with the gold medal and beating anyone and everyone along the way to do it.

“Even referees sometimes makes mistakes, here I wouldn’t tar anybody with any brush, but I thought that we would win by a big margin,” Putin said. “You and I shouldn’t forget that sport isn’t only about skill but also about the athletes’ courage, and even a good slice of luck.”

The only thing better than a good slice of luck is a good slice of pie.

It’s likely a relief for referee Brad Meier that Putin said he wouldn’t “tar anybody” because of a bad call. Meier was the official who caught Jonathan Quick‘s net being off the moorings thus disallowing what would’ve been Fedor Tyutin‘s go-ahead goal.

Sorry but I hate this guy by default…not to mention the way he is. Back it up on the ice, as long as your team doesn’t choke like last time they’ll have a shot to prove it. That game was anything but a “big margin” whether there was a goal taken away or not.

patthehockeyfan - Feb 18, 2014 at 7:06 AM

“Even referees sometimes makes mistakes, … ”

Not sure why he’s blaming the referees. Then again, he has to blame someone, and that certainly wouldn’t be his own team.

The ref made the right call. The net was off its mooring. The goal didn’t count. Period. There is no dispute about that. The ref did NOT make a mistake.

There’s no need to discuss whether Quick intentionally knocked it off. That’s between Quick and his god.

Whether he agrees with it or not, a rule is a rule. The rule states if the net is dislodged then the goal doesn’t count- simple as that and nothing to forgive. The bottom line is the refs got it right regardless of how he feels. Bitterness is a stinky cologne Vladdy. And yes, pie rocks.

Gentlemen, as much as I chuckle at the talk of great man Putin backing up his losing team…I’m actually struck by how honored the Russian players probably feel by knowing he is so into the sport.

In comparison the leader of this country, who didn’t go, but decided to “support” over a “tweet”. Now I know there were a lot of circumstances which prevented the president from this country from going…but a spade is still a spade.

That’s as deep into politics as ol’ Patty gets with this American system. Things are a bit different in the old country, but hell…part of the reason I call The USA home now anyway!!

And dang it all friends, I absolutely loved watching the highlights from England getting smoked in the qualifying rounds…gave me a hearty belly chuckle.

All that aside….come Wednesday the good stuff slides on them talking boxes for USA eh? Comrade Blomfeld, what say you? Other comrades for the red, white, and blue…what say YOU!!

The similarities between what happened then and what’s transpiring now are becoming ever more ‘strikingly’ similar. A strongman and his nation hosting an Olympic games which he intends to parlay into a message to the world at large … “mine is the ‘best’ and make no mistake about it !” Of course then it was Jesse Owens who sent Hitler back to the drawing table, replete with his misguided notions about racial superiority. And so now the question must be whether or not this US team is capable of doing the same to Putin ? I for one believe that they can and my heart is hoping for as much !

Wow! Wonder what he will say when Norway upsets and ousts them from competition?
GO ZUCCARELLO!
(Boy- could you imagine what Putin would be saying if that really happens?)

blomfeld - Feb 17, 2014 at 11:04 PM

that’s actually ‘not’ so funny friend … Ovechkin would be a ‘dead man in more ways than one, which in turn would lead to ‘sorrow’ for his fans back in Washington … I know we joke around here a lot at PHT, however what’s now ‘potentially’ going to transpire here over the coming days is ‘not’ a laughing matter, trust me …

remember when that south american soccer player was murdered after costing his team a game losing goal?? yeah i could see something like that happening ro a russian player. except it wouldn’t be a carbomb, it would be a tiny prick by the tip of an umbrella out in public somewhere. the russians are bit more sophisticated when it comes to killing their sports scapegoats.

blomfeld - Feb 18, 2014 at 10:24 PM

friend, I ‘sadly’ remember that story only too well …

kcbruinsfan - Feb 17, 2014 at 10:56 PM

There were more than a few phantom calls, but the game tying goal came on Browns idiotic knee to knee hit. His first penalty was a phantom interference, but that second came after an awful neutral zone turnover compounded by the knee to knee hit. That penalty was maddening. Just like Wheeler in the 1st, bad turnover followed by a dumb penalty. Brown has to be smarter than that, especially in that situation.

comeonnowguys - Feb 17, 2014 at 11:58 PM

He also sold the Radulov penalty. That’s still completely on Radulov for losing composure, but Brown still felt it and sold it.

badgerhockey77 - Feb 18, 2014 at 1:09 AM

Brown has to be smarter…but we all know he won’t be. Worse yet, Bylsma won’t have the balls to bench the assistant captain like he should. Brown’s stupidity could end up costing USA in the future, and Bylsma will have no one but himself to blame for it. Don’t know if you noticed, but Brown attempted ANOTHER knee-on-knee hit in the Slovenia game. Luckily he missed. He’s not contributing anything offensively either. Bench him!

Dear Mr. Putin; America is grateful for your forgiveness. To take time out of your busy schedule of throwing rock groups in jail, parachuting, etc to extend your hand of sportsmanship truly brings a lump to the nation’s collective throat, and tears to our nation’s eyes. To be so magnanimous in defeat is truly an inspiration for the entire world, and future generations. Oh by the way, not to bring up a sore subject, but when you have a minute could you have your hired protesters leave our embassy? They are blocking the delivery entrance.

the situation turned beneficial for Russia.. the way to medals is better, Americans medals if any woudl be doubtful in any case.. so hell with the rules..
the rules just dont describe the situation when the game is not stoped after the goalframe is displaced and dont allow VGS to be applied in this case